Kent Finlay, Dreamer

Though not a household name for the general public, Kent Finlay(1938–2015) was one of the world’s best-known and best-lovedpromoters, mentors, and gurus of Texas music. In 1974, hefounded the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos as avenue for live music and an incubator for young talent. In 1977,he drove to Nashville and took with him a young, unknownsinger named George Strait. On that trip, Strait recorded a demothat laid the initial foundation of his sensational career. Finlay’sfriends and fans also include such Texas music fixtures as ToddSnider, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jack Ingram, James McMurtry, Joe“King” Carrasco, Marcia Ball, Radney Foster, Omar Dykes (Omarand the Howlers), Terri Hendrix, and Ray Benson (Asleep at theWheel). These and many others have contributed first-personinterviews to this volume, which pays tribute both to Finlay and tohis unselfish love for Texas music and musicians.John and Robin Dickson Series in Texas Music, sponsored by the Center for Texas